Tracy Okubo - About Tracy

Baby Tracy circa 1979.

Tracy Hanayo Yuk Lan Okubo was born on September 1, 1979 to Allan Yukio Okubo, an attorney in private practice and part-time actor, and Mabel Yuk Inn Hu Okubo, a paralegal, in Makiki. Three years later Tracy was joined by her brother Patrick, now a Staff Sergeant in the Hawaii Army National Guard and Food & Beverage Manager at the Four Seasons Lanai. Three years after that they were joined by sister Diane, a junior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In 1985 the Okubo family relocated to the Kaimuki area.

Inspired by a trip to Washington, D.C. at the age of 5, Tracy knew from an early age that she wanted to devote her life to public service. She chose to make Makiki her home as an adult because of its beauty and diversity.

The Okubo Family at Tracy's graduation from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Tracy attended Waialae Elementary School and Niu Valley Intermediate, before graduating from Sacred Hearts Academy in 1997. In 2001 Tracy earned a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in U.S. History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM).

During her four years at UHM Tracy helped pay her own way through college by participating in the University of Hawaii Marching Band, where she played the piccolo, and Concert Band, where she played the French Horn. Tracy also served one term as a Senator in the Associate Students of the University of Hawaii (ASUH) Senate where she was the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Constitution.

Governor Linda Lingle, Department of Human Services' Director Lillian B. Koller, Esq., Tracy and volunteers at the Official Kick-Off of the Hawaii Rx Plus Program on July 1, 2004 at the State Capitol.

Tracy will bring a vast amount of experience and strong work ethic to the State Legislature. She has spent over 8 years in the Legislative atmosphere working for both Democrats and Republicans at all levels. Tracy has experience with the City and County of Honolulu City's Council, the Hawaii State Legislature, the 107th United States Congress in Washington, D.C., and is currently employed as a Senior Policy Advisors and Legislative Liaison at the State Department of Human Services (DHS) under its Director Lillian B. Koller, Esq. from the Lingle-Aiona Administration.

In her role at DHS, Tracy has developed a reputation as someone who works closely with members of the State House and Senate in crafting legally sound, beneficial pieces of legislation.

She is best known for helping create and implement vital initiatives such as Hawaii Rx Plus and the State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP), while working to maximize federal resources. Tracy also helped increase access for DHS clients to psychotropic medications and to immunosuppressant drugs that fight HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, while championing child welfare services, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance programs.

Additionally, Tracy has improved the lives of needy residents by helping implement Hawaii Rx Plus, SPAP, Medicare Part D, the Child Welfare Services Program Improvement Plan (PIP), Supporting Employment Empowerment (SEE Hawaii Work) and the Reward Work Initiative. Moreover, she helped develop new support services for homeless families, including rental assistance. These efforts to serve the people of Hawaii have gained National recognition for their innovation and efficiency.

Tracy was most recently recognized for drafting and successfully lobbying for the passage of the State Pharmacy Assistance Program and for her pivotal role in the Medicare Part D Transition Team.

Tracy has also spent over 8 years in the restaurant industry as a hostess, bus girl, waitress, cocktail waitress, and bartender. She is currently employed part-time as a server at the award winning 3660 On The Rise.

Tracy learned to play the Taiko Drums by participating in the 49th Cherry Blossom Festival sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Community involvement has been an important part of Tracy's life from a young age. As a youth Tracy participated at the YMCA of Honolulu's Junior Leader program, teaching young children to swim and participating in the YMCA Youth Legislature program as a Senator for two years. In her senior year in high school Tracy was chosen by her peers as the YMCA Youth Legislature's Senate Veteran of the Year.

Tracy was also a Girl Scout for 12 years, earning her Silver Award in her sophomore year and Gold Award in her junior year.

Tracy is currently a member of the Hawaii Republican Party, Oahu League of Republican Women, Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, Cherry Blossom Festival, Kam Society of Hawaii and Lupus Foundation of America, Hawaii Chapter, where Tracy was recently elected to serve on its Board of Directors.

Tracy is also a flutist at the Newman Holy Center where her Godfather is the music director.